Apparatus for sealing gummed paper



(No Model.)

' T. H. HATHAWAY.

APPARKTUS FOR SEALING GUMMED PAPER.

Patented Mar. 25, 1890.

N. FETER8. PholoLithogrnphar. Washi nRfnm l C.

UNITED STATES PATENT W THOMAS H. HATHAIVAY, OF NEWV BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS."

APPARATUS FOR SEALING GUMMED PAPER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,200, dated March 25, 1896.

Application filed January 22, 1889- Serial No. 315,205. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. HATHAWAY, of New Bedford, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and .Improved Mollifier or Apparatus for Moistening and Sealing Gummed' Articles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved mollifier or apparatus for moistenin g and sealing gummed articles, such as envelopes, newspapenwrappers, postagestamps, &c.

The invention consists of various parts and details and combinations of the same, hereinafter more fully described, and set forth in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 isa side elevation of my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the same, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same 011 the line 00 as of Fig. 2.

The frame A is provided 011 its front end with thefork B, in which is mounted the roller 0 upon axle D. Roller O is covered with any suitable absorbent material F.

The rear end of the frame A is provided with a handle G, and on the sides of the frame A are downwardly-projectinglugs H, between .which is mounted to rotate the pressure or sealing roller I, preferably covered with rubber I.

Suitably arranged upon the frame A is socured a receptacle J, containing water or other moistening substance, and provided with a tight cover K, through which passes a bent tube L, which reaches with one end to or near the bottom of the receptacle J, and the other end is nearly in contact with the upper edge of the covered roller 0. A second tube M passes through the cover K and terminates above the liquid contained in receptacle J, the upper end of the tube M being provided with a rubber air-bulb N. This constitutes an air-forcing device.

An aperture N may, if desired, be made in the top of bulb N, and the aperture may, if desired, be adapted to be closed by an inwardly-opening valve 0.

The operation is as follows: In order to moisten the gummed part of papers to be sealed-such as envelopes, postage-stamps, or other articles-the operator takes hold of the handle G and rolls the moistened roller 0 over the gummed part of the paper, so as to moisten the gum. With the left hand the operator then folds the moistened gummed part over the part to which it is to be sealed and then brings the apparatus into the position shown in Fig. 3 by pressing the handle G down ward, the rollerI acting as a fulcrum, and by then moving the pressure-roller I over the folded parts of the paper the moistened gummed part is securely sealed to its opposite part. Postage-stamps are similarly sealed to the envelope by moistenin g the gummed parts by passing the roller Cover them, after which the stamps are laid with the gummed side down on the envelope, and the pressure-roller I is rolled over the faces of the stamps in the same manner as above described, which seals the stamps effectually and quickly to the envelope. The roller C is moistened by pressing the air-bulb N, so that an air-pressure is exerted on the water in the receptacle J, which causes the water to pass into the bent tube L and out of the same at the outer end upon the absorbent material of the roller 0.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination of the frame, the receptacle with discharge-pipe and air-bulb, the absorbent roller, and sealing-roller, substantially as described and set forth.

2. As an improved article of manufacture, a the within-described apparatus for moisten- 9c ing and sealing gummed articles, consisting of a suitable frame carrying an absorbent roller, a receptacle for containing and delivering a liquid to the absorbent roller, and an air-forcin g device for expelling the liquid from the receptacle, all constructed for conjoint operation, as set forth.

THOMAS H. I-IATHAVVAY.

Witnesses:

EDWIN B. HALE, FRANK E. DIOKERMAN. 

